2010 was our “Year of the Money Pit.” In the middle of a major (read: expensive) master bathroom remodel, our home’s HVAC system ceased to work. Just shut right down. This unexpected, LARGE expense was followed closely by another surprise: our septic tank was failing and had to be immediately replaced. They say when it rains, it pours; well 2010 was our monsoon season. Consequently, I was put on a remodeling and redecorating diet for 2011 and 2012. No big projects allowed. I was relegated to … [Read more...]
Secrets of an Estate Sale Junkie
“Hello, my name is Kim, and I am an Estate Sale Junkie.” “Hello Kim!” I wasn’t always an ESJ. I started with what seemed to be relatively harmless excursions: thrift store perusing, perhaps the random yard or garage sale were as far as I explored. It all changed when, about a year ago, my Dad introduced me to the intriguing underworld known as the estate sale network. I’ve now come to understand that estate sales are different from the standard garage sale. A garage or yard sale is usually … [Read more...]
Book Birth: What To Do Before The Release Date
On November 24th, 2011, I proudly gave birth to a 216 page bundle of joy As a newly published writer, like many new moms, I get some interesting questions asked of me. Most frequent query: what advice would you give to other new or aspiring writers? Answer: there’s quite a bit to do before the due/publication date. I’m not big on offering unsolicited advice - being overly opinionated has gotten me into more than a few rocky situations. However, today I’ll break my no advice mantra to offer a … [Read more...]
Author Interview: www.bookpleasures.com
Read Kimba's May 2012 interview with Joseph Valentinetti, of www.bookpleasures.com http://goo.gl/bGAq3 Do you know Kimba's shoe size? Her preferred drink? When she thinks it's OK to lie? Read here to find out more. … [Read more...]
Reflections from the Middle-Aged Cheap Seats
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted that, on average, my life expectancy is currently about 79 years (Centers for Disease Control). You might be wondering “where you going with this Kimba?” Well, when I read this it got me to thinking - according to the CDC, I hit middle-aged about a decade ago, right? If middle-aged is indeed the chronological mid-point of our lives, then I reached middle-aged status around age 39. Really? What does middle-aged mean to … [Read more...]
Gardenias in Costco
Walking through Costco last week, desperately searching for the printer ink, I came across an aisle filled with gardenia bushes for sale. The dark green shiny leaves and emerging white buds made me think of my GeeGee. In the backyard of the home where I spent many of my childhood days, she had the largest, most beautiful gardenia bush. GeeGee was such a good southern gal who could grow anything; and tucked in among her orange and avocado trees and crotons was that bush. Image provided … [Read more...]
Why It’s Great To Be a Mutt
This past month my dog Taz turned eleven years old. He’s beginning to slow down just a bit – well, ain’t we all? God love ‘em, he still likes to chase the squirrels and visit with all the neighbors. He’s a happy and health pound mutt for sure; even as he heads toward eighty in dog years. For those of you who have by chance read my book, you know that the relationship between Taz and me has not always been one of full love and mutual admiration. We have survived, … [Read more...]
Short Man Lover’s Debut Becomes Amazon Best Seller
Fairfax Station, VA, April 2nd, 2012 – If you think there is nothing funny about being middle-aged, think again. As a reflection of the evolving tastes and humor of our growing baby boomer generation, I Was In Love With a Short Man Once – the debut book from local author Kimberly “Kimba” Dalferes, has become an Amazon Best Seller. Press Release - Short Man Lover's Debut Becomes amazon Best Seller 4-2-12 … [Read more...]
Swingin’ For the Fences
The view from the perch in the middle-aged cheap seats is often backward looking, or at least a bit reflective. The passing of another St. Patrick’s Day last week had me pondering a bit about luck and success and how we define who we are or what we’ve accomplished. Mighty deep thoughts indeed! Particularly on St. Patrick’s Day, the Irish are thought of as a lucky tribe, the whole “pot of gold” or “Luck O’ the Irish” thing. However, as a group the Irish have also certainly suffered their share of … [Read more...]
Time Travel: What I Would Tell Eighteen Year Old Kimba (Not That She Would Listen)
I was recently having lunch with a friend and we were discussing her current work as a college professor. She asked why I hadn’t gone back to the college classroom. Yep, I was once an Adjunct Professor; I know – shocking! I lamented that I loved teaching, but I just haven’t had the time to return to campus. To be honest, it would take quite a bit of effort to get up to speed on everything that has developed in criminology over the past two decades. That seems like a lot … [Read more...]